The models of use of information sources by the population of the free part of the Luhanska oblast

Abstract

The article describes some results of the research project «The mass consciousness in the zone of military conflict in the Donbass» and an attempt was made to identify patterns of using information sources for the population of the free part of the Luhanska oblast. The survey is based on data from a panel survey conducted in January-December 2017. It was found that the main sources of new information are TV, Internet and the closest social environment (friends, acquaintances, relatives, colleagues). The last two groups have a network character and often disseminate unofficial information. It was also found that the main sources of important information are Internet, TV and the closest social environment. There are statistically significant differences in the use of different sources of information depending on gender, type of settlement, age and education level. Also, a factor analysis of the use of new information sources was made, in the course of which four factors are distinguished: 1 – Internet, information received during stay in educational institutions, information from friends and acquaintances, relatives; 2 – traditional media (newspapers, radio, television); 3 – from colleagues and managers; 4 – from advertisement, from random people, from magazines. Also, factor analysis of the sources of important information was conducted. It was established what the new information of non-private nature was perceived by respondents during the day: in the first place – «political life in Ukraine», in the second place – «prices and tariffs», in the third place – «the war on the Donbass». This is the evidence that the war becomes part of everyday life and there is reduction of people’s attention to it. The differences were found in the receipt of such information depending on gender and age. Also, estimates of the emotional impact of daily new information are given. Basic practices of using the Internet and watching TV are defined. The rating of TV channels in the north of Luhanska Oblast is given in the article – Ukrainian nationwide channels prevail. It was found that both Ukrainian and Russian media’s level of distrust far exceeds the level of trust, but the level of trust to Ukrainian media is still higher. In the use of information sources there is a steady increase of the role of network sources of information (electronic social networks, networks of communication with relatives, acquaintances, friends, colleagues).